Methods and compositions for polymer superparamagnetic particles for nucleic acid extraction

Abstract

A composition is described comprising superparamagnetic particles. Optionally, the particles comprise microbeads. Optionally, the particles comprise nanobeads. Optionally, the particles are non-spherical particles. Optionally, the particles are non-spherical particles suitable for RNA or DNA extraction. A method is described for forming microparticles. Optionally, the method comprises using citrate precipitation. Optionally, a kit comprising one or more of the particles is described. Optionally, a kit for sample preparation for nucleic acid extraction is described comprising non-spherical microparticles or nanoparticles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising polymer superparamagnetic particles. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said particles comprise microbeads. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said particles comprise nanobeads. 
     
     
         4 . A method of forming microparticles. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , using citrate precipitation. 
     
     
         6 . A kit comprising one or more of the particles of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 forming polystyrene micron particle without crosslinker from styrene monomer;   coating of polystyrene micron particles with PGMA (polyglycidyl methacrylate) layer and crosslinked with DVB (Divinylbenzene);   amination of the epoxy surface from Step 2 product (PGMA layer);   using the amine surface hydrophilicity to allow Ferric and Ferrous Chloride to penetrate inside the beads and forming precipitate that trapped inside the beads by reacting Ferric and Ferrous Chlordie with ammonia;   using glutaraldehyde to react with amine surface and form the aldehyde activated surface for next step; and   reacting aldehyde surface with protein lysine side chain (here is streptavidin in our product) to lead to streptavidin conjugated beads.